@Fabulosity: If you've never sewn before, I would -highly- suggest working with cheap fabric/ making mockups and testing out your patterns. Especially if you're drafting your own patterns, because then you can fix your mistakes on your patterns and on the muslin/cheap fabric, to see what you need to adjust.

It saves you a LOT of time, money, and tears, especially if your real/production fabric ends up being anywhere from $7.99/yd to like $15.99/yd.

It does take time and effort to do the mock ups, but it is WORTH IT, because not only do you get practice in what you're going to sew, but you're still learning along the way, and once you do something the first time, you're usually faster at it/better at it the second time. :3

And of course I speak from personal experience, even though i've only been sewing for about a year or so ^^;;;

If it's something I know I'll need to modify (take in, adjust) from the original pattern, I do a mockup. Although not as often as I probably should! Sometimes I'll use the muslin mockup as a lining (for example, if I'm making a cotton dress that'll need two layers).

You *should* make sure that your mockup material has the same properties as your final material! This isn't such an issue for satins and things, but if your final project is stretchy, like a spandex or knit, your mockup must be just as stretchy so you'll know what to expect. No sense in making a muslin mockup for a spandex outfit! ^^

There's nothing to be a'feared of with spandex. It's not that difficult to sew once you've practiced on it a bit. There are some lovely benefits to it -- namely that it doesn't fray or shred at the edges (which means you don't necessarily need to hem it) and that it's much easier to fit because of the stretch. If you're sewing a seam that will need to stretch, you have to sew zigzag stitches to keep the stretchiness. Apparently using a serger is best for spandex but I've gotten along just fine on a regular Kenmore sewing machine. ^^

My entire Sailor Mercury costume sans bows (as well as my entire Princess Lana costume) is made of spandex. I will say that making edging out of spandex, sewn to spandex, is annoying. But it's possible. And it has a lovely flow to it for the skirts.

I definitely recommend looking for remnants to practice on first! The stuff isn't cheap when you pay full-price but usually around spring/summer you can find some (usually in hideous lime green) in the remnant bin at JoAnns. ^^

I agree with TR Rose on sewing it, its my first time using it but as she said if u use the zigzag setting its easy. I have my collar and front bow sewed on neptune, tomorrow i plan on finishing up what i can. I just need to find some short gloves, and finding base shoes for wide feet is a pain >.<

@Fabulousity Yeah, the anime version of Princess Serenity. I got a girl from etsy.com to do them. She still hasn't replied so I might just have to advertise again to see if anyone can do a rush order. Ah well, guess I lost $10.

My crescent moon wand should be here anyday now. All that's left after that is a gold bracelet which is easy enough to make

Update: Got someone else commissioned to finish the earrings, everything's all happening now! The con is in exactly a month

@rainbow dancer Did you use cheap extensions? Or did you not glue the hair down properly? Those are the only reasons I can think of for why it might be doing that. I don't think stubbing is the problem; it's probably the hair or the glue.

fabric to use for making a senshi costume? I'm going to do a mock up like I read about here since I have plenty of time but I was wondering what i should use for the actual fabric for my costume. Thanks so much

Turns out the person I commissioned to do my Serenity outfit stole the pictures, so now I'm really worried about how the costume will look [it should be here in about a week.]

If it's awful I guess I'll just sell it online and start again.

That's why you have got to be extra careful when commissioning. But just wait and see it might be good after all. However if it does look crappy just make it yourself it shouldn't be too hard since it's just a basic white dress with two layers and gold circles and beads on it. I wish you good luck with your finished commission.